Happy Belated New Year! My colleague R. Scott Barnas and I had the opportunity to sit down with Professor Gary Smith at the Midwest Clinic. We also had the pleasure of having a “party-crasher” show up; Dr. Cody Birdwell from the University of Kentucky was a welcome surprise to this interview.

Professor Smith talks about growing up in an arts family, his teaching career, favorite pieces of music, The System, and reflects on some of his highlights with the University of Illinois Bands. Dr. Birdwell reflects on teaching together with Professor Smith and how they worked together as colleagues to provide the best musical experiences for students.

Special thanks to Washington Junior High and Joliet All-City Band director R. Scott Barnas for facilitating this meeting and interviewing our guests!

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Gary E. SmithFrom the University of Illinois Band Page:

BA, Butler University; MA, Ball State University

From 1976 to 1998 and again in 2004, Gary was the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, Urbana - Champaign, where he conducted the nationally famous Marching Illini, Basketball Band, Symphonic Band II, and taught marching band procedures and band arranging in the School of Music.

Previously he served as Assistant Director of Bands and Marching Band Director at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, Director of Bands at Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, and Director of Bands at Northside High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1988 Gary was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. In addition, he is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, and Kappa Kappa Psi music honorary fraternities and participates in the College Band Director's National Association, National Band Association, and the Illinois Music Educators Association.

Recent awards include the University of Illinois Alumni Association "Outstanding Educator", the Mary Hoffman “Outstanding Music Educator”, the "Spirit of the Illini" from the University of Illinois Athletic Association and the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Medal.

Gary has served as a consultant, guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States, Singapore, China, Australia, Japan, Canada, Ireland and France. In addition, he is the coordinator of the pre-game, halftime and parade festivities for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (formerly the Peach Bowl) and assisted with the production of the 2005 Orange Bowl Halftime. In 2007, Gary served as co director of the Oklahoma Centennial All State Marching Band, which was be featured during the 2007 Rose Bowl Parade opening ceremonies. Presently he serves as the producer of the annual DISNEY THANKSGIVING PARADE OF BANDS held at Disney World in Orlando, FL. and head clinician for the 2011 Marching Band Directors and Drum Major Clinic in Singapore

Smith is former owner and director of the Smith Walbridge Clinics for drum majors, flags, rifles, marching percussion, marching band student leaders and directors. Since 1949, these clinics have attracted thousands of high school and college students from across the United States and several foreign countries.

Several of his articles have been published in The Instrumentalist, The School Musician and the Band Director's Guide. This guide, The System, "Marching Band Methods," is used as a textbook in several University marching band courses and marching band clinics.

Dr. John Cody BirdwellFrom the University of Kentucky Fine Arts Page:

Dr. John Cody Birdwell is Director of Bands at the University of Kentucky, where his duties include conducting the University of Kentucky Wind Symphony, directing graduate programs in wind-band conducting, teaching graduate courses in instrumental conducting, history and literature, and supervising the administration of the University of Kentucky band program in the School of Music. Prior to his appointment at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Birdwell served as Director of Bands at Texas Tech University, Director of Bands at Utah State University, Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, and Director of Bands at Northern Michigan University.

Dr. Birdwell's ensembles have toured extensively throughout the United States, China, and Great Britain, and the University of Kentucky Wind Symphony was recently selected to perform at the 2013 National Convention of the College Band Directors National Association. Ensembles under Dr. Birdwell's direction have also performed at numerous CBDNA national and division Conferences, and have also performed for the Kentucky Music Educator’s Association, Texas Music Educators Convention, Texas Bandmaster's Association Convention, and the Utah Music Educators Association. In 2008 the UK Wind Symphony toured the People’s Republic of China, and performed to capacity audiences in the cities of Suzhou, Yangzhou, Changzhou, and Beijing.

Birdwell has collaborated with and premiered works by a variety of celebrated artists, conductors, and composers including Arturo Sandoval, Michael Colgrass, Luis Serrano Alarcon, Tim Reynish, Frederick Fennell, Dan Welcher, Donald Grantham, John Mackey, Anthony Barfield, Bob Mintzer, Mike Mower, and Adam Gorb. Several compact discs, including the University of Kentucky Wind Ensemble “Distilled in Kentucky – Premieres from the Bluegrass State”, and “GO! – The Music of Bob Mintzer”, along with the Texas Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble “LIVE!" and “Diversions” have received acclaim from composers and conductors throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Dr. Birdwell is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association and holds degrees from The University of North Texas and West Texas A&M University.

Dr. Birdwell serves as President-Elect President of the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division, and holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Kentucky Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Phi Beta Mu, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha. He remains active as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States and abroad.

Going out of town for Thanksgiving? Our interview with Robert Herrings would make for great listening on that long car ride. Robert has some fantastic advice about objectives in band, what new teachers should do when they don’t know what to do, and programming for every kid in your ensemble.

Mr. Herrings has hands down one of the most impressive bands I have heard. The intro and outro music is Robert’s band performing Candide Suite: The Best of All Possible Worlds arranged by Clare Grundman and Grainger’s Shepherd’s Hey, respectively. You can also search Henry Middle School Band on Youtube for more impressive video and recordings from Robert Herrings and the Henry Middle School Band.

Special thanks to Chip De Stefano for the connection and for co-hosting this interview.

“The biggest shoes you have to fill are your own.”

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Robert Tyrome Herrings, III is entering his fifteenth year of teaching and has been teaching at Henry Middle School in Leander ISD since 2004. Prior to coming to Leander ISD, he was the Director of Bands at Rockdale Junior High in Rockdale, Texas.

In 2003, Mr. Herrings received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he studied under Michael Haithcock, Jeff Grogan, Dr. Kevin Sedatole and Barry Hopper. While in college, Mr. Herrings was a member of the Baylor University performing wind bands, as well as a member of the Baylor University Golden Wave Band.

At Henry Middle School, Mr. Herrings conducts the Honors Band, assists with the Symphonic Band, Concert Band and beginning trombone class. He also teaches beginning flute and trumpet. Mr. Herrings’ bands have consistently received UIL Sweepstakes ratings, as well as unanimous first division ratings, Best In Class, and Overall Outstanding Band honors at festivals around the state. In 2009-2014, the program at Henry earned distinction as a National Wind Band Honors Class AA winner, and in 2008 and 2013, the Henry Middle School Honors Band was selected to perform at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington. The program was named the 2010, 2014 and 2018 TMEA Class CCC Honor Band and was also selected to perform at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2010, 2012, and 2016. In June 2011, Mr. Herrings and his program were awarded the prestigious John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Silver Cup Award, and in July of the same year, Mr. Herrings was named the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year. In 2013, the Texas Chapter of the American School Band Director’s Association awarded the Artie Henry Middle School Band the Outstanding Band Program Award. The Percussion Ensemble at Henry Middle School was selected to perform at the 2014 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. Most recently, the Henry Middle School Band Program was named the Texas Bandmasters Association's Exemplary Middle School Program of the Year for 2018.

An active clinician and adjudicator around the state, Mr. Herrings is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Mr. Herrings also serves as the TMEA Region 32 Middle School Band Chair, as well as the Region 32 TBA representative. He is also a mentor to new-to-profession teachers at Henry Middle School.

Mr. Herrings enjoys motivating young musicians to achieve the highest level of performance by sharing his extreme love and passion for music with them on a daily basis. He feels honored, privileged and extremely blessed to have a loving mother and grandmother, many great mentors, band directors and close friends who have influenced his career thus far.

John Thomson made the drive to Joliet to talk about programming, commissioning new music, and comprehensive musicianship. Mr. Thomson goes into detail about his musical career including his assistantship with Mr. John Paynter and his time at East Allegheny High School in Pennsylvania and New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois.

This episode has great information music teachers. I especially enjoyed hearing Mr. Thomson speak about a programming method for band that was influenced by Mr. Paynter, and his description of a Unit Study Composition for in depth analysis and understanding of music. My band is looking at commissioning a new band work soon; Mr. Thomson’s advice on seeking out composers and finding resources will be especially helpful to me as we endeavor this goal. I have also found my new favorite term, which I will borrow from Mr. Thomson: “Sonic Architecture.”

I hope you enjoy and learn from this episode. You can learn from and about Mr. Thomson at his website: www.johnathomson.com.

FULL BIO from www.johnathomson.com:

John A. Thomson received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied with Richard Strange and Philip Catelinet. While completing course work towards a PhD in Music Education at Northwestern University, he served for two years as a Teaching Assistant in both the Departments of Conducting and Performing Organizations and Music Education, where he studied with John Paynter and Bennett Reimer.

Mr. Thomson was the Director of Bands at East Allegheny High Schoolnear Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1967 to 1981. Under his direction, East Allegheny bands presented feature performances at the 1976 Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the 1975 Music Educators National Conference Eastern Regional Meeting, two Mid-East Instrumental Music Conferences in 1973 and 1977, and three Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Conferences in 1970, 1975 and 1980.

From 1982 to 2007, Mr. Thomson was Director of Bands at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. In 1984, the wind ensemble completed a successful concert tour of Switzerland, Germany and Holland. He conducted a NewTrier Honor Band on a concert tour of Hawaii and Australia in 1998. Under his direction, New Trier wind ensembles have performed at the l990 Western Illinois University Band “Showcase”, the l989, l993, 1998 and 2007 Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conferences, the l985 and l990 Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinics, the 1994 Music Educators National Conference National Biennial In-Service Conference, the 1996 Atlanta International Band and Orchestra Conference, the 1999, 2000 and 2001 Superstate Festivals at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and the 2003 Chicagoland “Invitational” Band Festival. The wind ensemble received the Downbeat Magazine Award for best classical instrumental ensemble (band) in 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2004.

For twenty-three years, Mr. Thomson was a conductor at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan, and conducted the 1992 Blue Lake International Symphonic Band on the ensemble’s four week performance tour in Europe. He has served the Illinois Music Educators Association as District VII Band Chair and as a member of the All-State selection committee.

Currently, Mr. Thomson is an adjunct professor in music education at Roosevelt University in Chicago, observes student teachers for Northwestern University, and is active as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator. He is a Contributing Editor and New Music Reviewer for THE INSTRUMENTALIST Magazine.

Personal awards include several National Band Association Citations of Excellence “for outstanding contributions to bands and band music”, the American School Band Directors Association Stanbury Award “for outstanding achievement in the advancement of school band programs”, the Mr. Holland’s Opus Award for “dedicating his life to his students so that they would not only be better musicians, but better people”, the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award “in recognition of outstanding leadership and excellence in professional music education” and the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Bandmaster Award “for consistently producing the highest quality performing ensembles”. He has been inducted into the Phi Beta Mu Illinois Band Directors Hall of Fame at Northwestern University.

Professional affiliations include the American Bandmasters Association (Goldman Citation Award Committee), National Band Association (Revelli Composition Award Committee), American School Band Directors Association (Past State Chairman), Music Educators National Conference, Illinois Music Educators Association (Past District VII Band Chair), International Association of Jazz Educators, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Mu Alpha.

Mr. Thomson lives in Wilmette, Illinois, with his wife Susan and sons, Brian and Will.

Bruce Pearson is the first composer I ever played, so this was a particular treat to interview him. Dr. Pearson outlines his career teaching at all levels, discusses learning theories, and speaks about his experience writing and publishing music, including the Best in Class, Standards of Excellence, and Tradition of Excellence Band Methods. Dr. Pearson was also gracious enough to be my first long distance guest over Skype - my special thanks to him for sitting down in this interview.

In addition to his method books, Dr. Pearson is well-known as a composer of many widely performed compositions for concert band and jazz ensemble. He has led clinics in all fifty of the United States and has been guest conductor and clinician, by invitation, of countries throughout the Pacific Rim, the Orient, Europe, and the Canadian provinces.

Bruce Pearson has taught at the elementary, junior high, high school, and college levels for over thirty years. Twice nominated for the prestigious Excellence in Education Award, he was recognized as “most outstanding in the field of music” for the state of Minnesota. In December, 1998, Dr. Pearson, “in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music education,” was awarded the prestigious Midwest International Clinic Band and Orchestra Conference Medal of Honor. In 2001, he was awarded St. Cloud State University’s Distinguished Service To Music Award “in appreciation for lifelong contribution to music and music education”. In 2007, Dr. Pearson received St. Cloud State University’s “Distinguished Alumni Award.” That same year he was recognized as the first Patron for the Maryborough Conference in Queensland, Australia. The American School Band Directors Association conferred on Dr. Pearson the 2014 Edwin Franko Goldman Award “as a symbol of high esteem and respect, and as a measure of appreciation and gratitude for outstanding personal contributions to the school band movement.” Additionally, Dr. Pearson has been recognized as a University of Northern Colorado “2017 Honored Alumni”.

Dr. Pearson continues to serve as a guest lecturer, clinician, and conductor in addition to his work as a composer, arranger, and author. He and his wife Dee have been married for over fifty years, have three children and nine grandchildren.

Jim Stombres talks about his career, working on a team, changing a culture, and surrounding yourself with talented and hard-working people. Jim has taught almost all levels of band, and even though he's retired, he's still going. Jim is one of the most appreciative and thoughtful teachers that I've met. I hope this episode gets you charged up and inspired as we all move into the next school year!

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Mr. Stombres is retired after more than 30 years as director of bands in three suburban Chicago high schools, finishing his career at St. Charles North High School, St. Charles, IL. He holds a diploma in sacred music from the Moody Bible Institute, a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois State University, and Master of Music Education degree from Northwestern University. He is active in the Illinois Music Educators Association and the Illinois Chapter of International Association of Jazz Educators. Under Mr. Stombres’ direction, the Naperville North Wind Ensemble performed at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival and received the DownBeat Award for Outstanding Wind Ensemble. 2018 marked Mr. Stombres 30th season with Birch Creek Music Performance Center.

After a long hiatus, we're ready to get back into it by saying OSKEE WOW WOW. Steve and I visited the University of Illinois and sat down with Professor Barry Houser in the historic Harding Band building.

Professor Houser talks about his journey to the Big Ten, going digital with the marching band, things that go "bump in the night" in the Harding Band building, and much more!

BIO

Barry L. Houser is the Associate Director of Bands, Director of the Marching Illini, and Director of the Fighting Illini Athletic Bands where his responsibilities include conducting the Hindsley Symphonic Band, the Athletic Bands, and the 375 member Marching Illini in addition to teaching marching band procedures. Professor Houser’s teaching experience encompasses both extensive public school and university experiences.

A native of Indiana, Professor Houser served as Director of Bands and Performing Arts Director at NorthWood High School in Nappanee, Indiana, where his bands developed a reputation for great musicianship which in turn earned the program state and national recognition. Prior to his position at NorthWood, Houser served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Florida. Bands under Houser have performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the NBC Today Show, the ISSMA State Marching Finals, and the IMEA State Convention. Other performances include the Indianapolis 500 Parade, the Target Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Outback Bowl Parade and Half-Time Show, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Washington DC National Memorial Parade, Chicago Bears Game, and performances with Maynard Ferguson, the Dallas Brass, Canadian Brass, Gregg Potter as well as many other talented artists.

Houser holds professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, MENC, Golden Key National Honor Society, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi International Band Fraternity, Honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and has been honored by the Indiana General Assembly and the US House of Representatives. He is the recipient of the Indianapolis Star Academic All Star Award, the WNDU Channel 16 Excellence in Education Award, as well as being listed in various “Who’s Who” publications throughout his career.

Professor Houser is active nationally as a guest conductor and clinician in both the marching and concert mediums. He has served on the staff of the Macy’s Great American Marching Band and the National Events Mass Band, which performs annually at the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a contributing author to the popular marching band textbook The System by Gary Smith as well as numerous submissions to the Teaching Music through Performance in Band series. Houser has served as Governor of the North Central District of Kappa Kappa Psi and currently serves as chapter advisor for the Nu Xi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi on our campus as well as Chapter Advisor for the Phi Mu Alpha Chapter. He is currently serving on the Athletic Band Board for the College Band Directors National Association and as the North Central Division Chair for the National Band Association. During the summer, Professor Houser is the Director and President of the renowned Smith Walbridge Clinics, one of the largest marching band | leadership camps of its type in the country with locations in Illinois and Florida, attracting over 1000 students each year.

TWO GUESTS this time around. Steve and I sit down with Ray Cramer, Indiana University, and Mike Fiske, Joliet Central High School, and realize that they're both better at hosting a show than we are.

We had a great conversation with Professor Cramer and Mr. Fiske, covering everything from selecting good music, being a role model outside of just music, and even Mike's time as a graduate student under Professor Cramer.

So much history and information, and so little time! We hope to have both of these great educators on again. Press play below, or subscribe on iTunes/Android devices - you won't want to miss episode 11.

BIOS

Ray E. Cramer was a member of the Indiana University School of Music faculty from the fall of 1969 through May 2005. In 1982, Mr. Cramer was appointed Director of Bands. Under his leadership the Indiana University Wind Ensemble earned an international reputation for outstanding musical performances including the 1982 ABA Convention, Indianapolis; the 1984 joint American Bandmasters Association/Japan Bandmasters Association Convention, Tokyo; the 1988 NAfME National Convention, Indianapolis; the 1991 National CBDNA Convention in Kansas City, the 1994 National NAfME Convention in Cincinnati, the 1995 ABA Convention in Lawrence, Kansas, the 1997 National CBDNA Convention in Athens, Georgia, the 2003 CBDNA National Convention in Minneapolis, MN, a 2000 spring tour to Japan performing in six cities and the All Japan Band Clinic plus numerous regional and state conventions and a 2003 performance at The Midwest Clinic.

In addition to his administrative responsibilities as the Department Chair, Mr. Cramer taught graduate courses in wind conducting, history and literature. He also conducted the University Orchestra for seven years during the fall semester.

He is a member of ABA, CBDNA, NBA, WASBE, NAfME, IMEA, IBA, CIDA, and is affiliated with Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, and Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Cramer is a recipient of the Student Alumni Council Senior Faculty Award (1983), the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Award (1988), the CIDA Director of the Year Award (1988), the Phi Beta Mu, International Assembly, Outstanding Bandmaster Award (1988), the Kappa Kappa Psi Bohumil Makovsky Memorial Award (1991), the Goldman award (2002), and the 2005 Midwest Medal of Honor. He is a past National President of the College Band Directors National Association, the American Bandmasters Association and has served as president of the Indiana Bandmasters Association, the North Central Division of CBDNA and the Big Ten Band Directors Association. He is the current President of the Midwest Clinic, an international band and orchestra convention held in Chicago each December.

Mr. Cramer is actively involved in clinics and guest conducting engagements nationally and internationally. He has served as regular guest conductor for the Musashino Academia of Music in Tokyo, Japan from the fall of 1990 to the present.

A native of Illinois, Mr. Cramer has a B.A. and Honorary Doctorate from Western Illinois University and an MFA from the University of Iowa. He taught at Indiana University for 36 years, and served as Director of Bands for 24 years.

Michael Fiske is the Director Emeritus of the Joliet Central High School band. Mr. Fiske returned to his beloved school district when he was appointed the fourth band director of the JTHS Band at Central Campus in 2002. Prior to coming to Central, Mr. Fiske enjoyed a successful 25-year career directing high school bands in Illinois and Indiana, most recently at Morris High School.

Under Mr. Fiske’s direction, the Central Band has continued a tradition of excellence. They were Grand Champions at Illinois State University in 2003, and have been Best in Class several times since then in the Illinois State University Contest. The band has had annual representation in the Illinois Music Educators Association District and All-State Festivals. They have performed in Orlando, Atlanta and New York City. They were Grand Champions at the New York National Freedom Festival in 2006 and Best in Class at Festival Disney in 2008. They also performed at Walt Disney World in 2004 and 2012, and at Six Flags Over Georgia in 2010. Locally, the Central Band remains a favorite in downtown parades and at home basketball and football games. The Central Big Band gives numerous performances each year in Joliet and Chicago. The band maintains an active concert schedule during the school year, having just completed the 106th concert season.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Stephen Peterson at the SuperState 2016 band festival. Dr. Peterson holds the distinguished honor as the current Director of Bands at the University of Illinois, a program that many consider to be one of, if not the most important collegiate band programs based on its history, accomplishments, and directors.

Dr. Peterson was very gracious with his time, and offered some insight on moving into a new program, setting up a band for success, and his opinions on quality band literature.

Dr. Peterson's Bio: Dr. Stephen G. Peterson was appointed Director of Bands at the University of Illinois in the fall of 2015. As Director of Bands, he conducts the Wind Symphony, leads the graduate wind conducting program, teaches courses in wind literature, and guides all aspects of one of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most storied band programs. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Illinois he served as Director of Bands at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, for seventeen years. From 1988-1998 he served as Associate Director of Bands at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Dr. Peterson was also conductor of the renowned Northshore Concert Band. He held positions as Associate and Interim Director of Bands at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas and has several years of successful teaching experience in the public schools in Arizona.

Peterson maintains a busy schedule as a conductor and clinician, and as such, has appeared on four continents and in forty-two states. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and has been honored with membership in the prestigious American Bandmaster’s Association. He is also member of Phi Mu Alpha, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda, and an honorary member of Sigma Alpha Iota, and Kappa Kappa Psi. He is immediate past president of the College Band Directors National Association.

Dr. Peterson was the first to receive the Doctor of Music degree in wind conducting from Northwestern University and earned Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Arizona State University. In 2012 he was awarded the prestigious Ithaca College Faculty Excellence Award, recognizing his contributions to Ithaca College. His ensembles have appeared before national conventions of the American Bandmaster’s Association, the College Band Director’s National Association, the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, the American School Band Director’s Association, at Orchestra Hall with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, and at Lincoln Center.

On this episode, we present a interview of Edwin Franko Goldman from the Goldman Band, and Bruce Houseknecht from the Joliet Township High School Band. This interview is used with permission from WJOL Radio Station in Crest Hill/Joliet, Illinois.

Edwin Franko Goldman was one of the prominent band composers of the early 20th century. HIs credits include over 150 works for band and the founding of the Goldman Band of New York City and the American Bandmasters Association.

Bruce Houseknecht was the director of the Joliet Township High School band from 1945 to 1969, and a professor at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, until his death in 1974. Mr. Houseknecht's ensembles received local and national acclaim, including five performances at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, and a performance at the presidential inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953.

Featured music: On the Mall March, by Edwin Franko Goldman (US Army Band Performance), and Salvation is Created, Tschesnokoff, arr. by Bruce Houseknecht (conducted by the arranger).

Dan Moore and I were lucky have Dan's mentor, Don Owens (D.O.) come out and work our band in rehearsal. Of course, we couldn't let D.O. leave without sitting down and recording a podcast about his time in Texas and working at Evanston Township High School and Northwestern University in Illinois. Enjoy listening to some great band history and teaching tips for band directors everywhere.

Don Owens, Coordinator Emeritus of the Jazz Studies and Pedagogy Program, Director Emeritus, Contemporary Music Ensemble, and the National High School Music Institute at Northwestern University, began his tenure at Beinen School of Music in 1979. Before coming to Northwestern, he taught for twelve years at Evanston (Illinois) Township High School where his duties included directing band, brass ensembles, and jazz band, as well as teaching classes in music theory, popular music, free improvisation, and composition. He created the Electronic Music Studio at ETHS in 1971.

Owens received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from North Texas State University, where he studied Composition and Jazz. His Master of Musical Arts degree is from the University of Illinois, where he majored in Composition. He studied composition with Morgan Powell, Merrill Ellis, Samuel Adler, and Salvatore Martirano. He has won several grants and awards, and is regularly commissioned for new works.

In his first few years at Northwestern, Mr. Owens conducted the nationally renowned Jazz Ensemble, directed the "Wildcat” Marching Band and Symphonic Band, and taught advanced Method classes for undergraduate Music Education Majors. He eventually was appointed Coordinator of the Jazz Studies and Pedagogy Program, teaching courses in Jazz Writing, Seminar in Jazz Pedagogy, Jazz in the Public Schools, and conducted the Jazz Ensemble. Under his leadership, the Northwestern Jazz Program grew to offer the B.M. in Jazz Studies and the M.M. in Jazz Pedagogy.

In addition to Owens' responsibilities in the Jazz area, he served as Director and Primary Conductor of the internationally acclaimed Northwestern University Contemporary Music Ensemble for over 20 years. This group performed over 200 world premiers, as well as the standard 20th century repertory. In 1991, the Northwestern CME served as the primary chamber music ensemble for the John Cage Now World Festival.In the spring of 1995, the CME served as one of two visiting Artist Ensembles for the National Meeting of the Society of Composers at the University of Iowa. In 2002, the CME played a major role in the Stephan Wolpe Festival, sponsored by the School of Music.

During the summers, Owens served as Director of the National High School Music Institute, from 1991 to 2004. Under his leadership, the enrollment increased by 100%. With a curriculum that required the attending students to declare a Major - Classical Guitar, Composition, Jazz Studies, Music Education, Piano, Strings, Voice, or Winds and Percussion- NHSMI consistently attracted students from all 50 states, as well as many foreign countries.

Let's be honest; this is the episode 7 that we've all been truly waiting for. My guest co-host Daniel Moore and I sit down with Dr. James Lambrecht, director of bands and professor of trumpet at Augustana College in Rock Island. James M. Lambrecht is the director of bands and professor of trumpet at Augustana College, where he conducts the Symphonic Band and teaches studio trumpet, wind conducting, brass methods and in the music theory program. He also has conducted the Opera@Augustana Orchestra, and served as the conductor and music director of the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra from 1994-1998. Before coming to Augustana in 1988, he was director of bands and assistant professor of music at Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan. Dr. Lambrecht is one of our unofficial "international guests" as well, serving as guest conductor for the Musashino Academia Musicae Wind Ensemble in Tokyo Japan.

Dr. Lambrecht talks about his journey through his career, his mentor Ray Cramer, and the similarities and differences of the US and Japanese performing ensembles. Featured music is Symphony No. 3, by James Barnes.

Charles T. Menghini is President, Professor of Music and Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to his appointment as President in August of 2004, Charlie served as Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Director of Bands. He began his teaching at VanderCook College in 1994 and his teaching has included conducting, organization and administration, curriculum and supervision, brass methods and rehearsal techniques classes.

Dr. Menghini holds an impressive list of accomplishments and experiences, including 18 years of successful high school band experience, contributions to professional journals and magazines such as "The Instrumentalist," and co-author of Essential Elements 2000 Band Method, published by the Hal Leonard Corporation.

We had a lot of fun sitting down with Dr. Menghini, and as usual, we learned something. We know you'll all enjoy hearing Dr. Menghini talk about time management, his first years teaching, and his thoughts on education.

Under the leadership of Charles "Chip Staley, the Neuqua Valley High School music program has received seven Grammy Gold Awards for excellence in music, and is recognized as a 2013 and 2015 National Grammy Signature School, a Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts National School of Distinction, and a Sudler Flag of Honor Recipient.

Chip Staley was a great guest, and talked to us about selecting great literature and planning for a wind ensemble as opposed to a symphonic band. Chip is also an educational trailblazer, and tells us about the current and future state of education, and what we can all do to help.

We open and close the episode with excerpts from the Neuqua Valley Wind Ensemble performance of Selections from Turandot from their 2009 Midwest Clinic performance under the direction of Mr. Staley.

We interview Steve's high school band director and mentor, Mr. Ken Snoeck. Ken is a member of the Music for All Hall of Fame. Under his direction, the Lake Park Wind Ensemble appeared at the University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival four times and traveled to Moscow Russia, and has toured France, including a joint concert with the French Navy Band in Toulon.

We open this episode with the fourth movement from Ken's composition "Scaramouch," which was voted Best Original Manuscript for Band for the biennium 1971-1973 by the membership of the College Band Directors National Association. We close out with "Dribble Drabble," performed by trumpeter Dr. Mark Ponzo and the NIU Wind Symphony.

Part two of our interview with Ted Lega, which is actually part one! We kick off with a sample of a track from the Teddy Lee Orchestra's album "Sentimental Journey," and then Ted goes into some great history of his time with the Joliet band. Some fantastic history in this episode for not only people from the Joliet area, but for anyone interested in band history dating back to the early 1900s.